Leave the Light On

Leave the Light On

“We'll leave the light on for you” is the tagline for Motel 6's radio and advertising campaign that began in 1986. The campaign featured the voice of Tom Bodett, an American author, radio host, and voice actor. The campaign was so successful that it made Motel 6 a household name and won more advertising awards than any other lodging brand. Motel 6’s advertising as a “home away from home” and motto, “We’ll keep the lights on,” gave assurance that no matter what time of day, you could find lodging there. The idea was that the lights being left on was a welcome sight in that someone would be home when you arrived.

We have been looking at the Tabernacle for the past several weeks. The tabernacle was the “tent” or house where God would dwell among His people within the Israelite covenant community, or neighborhood. Moses is on Mt. Sinai with the Lord, and he is getting the instructions for building God’s house and the furnishings that will be in it. We have been introduced to two rooms inside the tabernacle so far. The first room is the Holy of Holies where the ark of the covenant will reside. The ark of the covenant is where God will dwell and meet with Moses when he comes down from heaven and is symbolic of God’s throne on the earth. It also symbolizes His power and presence with His people. One day a year, the Day of Atonement, the High Priest will be allowed to go into the Holy of Holies and sprinkle the blood of the sacrifice on the atonement cover. The blood of the sacrifice would cover the sins of the people and the penalty for their disobedience to God’s holy commands.

Then last week we were introduced to the second room called the Holy Place which would be right outside the Holy of Holies separated by a veil or curtain. There will be three items of furniture in the Holy Place. Last week, we talked about the Table of the Presence, which is where the twelve loaves of showbread, symbolizing the twelve tribes of Israel, will be kept. The table and the bread symbolize God’s presence with and provision for His people. As the priests tend to the Table of the Presence, they and the people through them will be reminded of how much God loves and cares for them, how much they can trust the Lord’s presence with them and how much they can trust that He will always provide for them. The table and the bread will also teach them a more important lesson that their deepest need is constant fellowship and communion with God.

Now this morning we come to the second item of furniture in the Holy Place called the Lampstand. In order for the priests to properly fulfill their duties in the Holy Place in a meaningful and acceptable manner, they needed light, and so God gave Moses instructions on making the lampstand and the ministry that it would have in the life of his covenant people. Just like the motto, “We’ll keep the lights on,” gave assurance that no matter what time of day or night, someone was home, and you could find lodging, the tabernacle and the lampstand served as a welcome sight that God was at home with His people. Just like the tabernacle, the table and the bread, the lampstand pointed to Jesus. God gave life and light to the world at creation and sent His son, Jesus, to the earth, to be the life and the Light of the World. Now that Jesus is in heaven with God the Father, he has left us and all Christians to carry on the ministry of the lampstand which brings us to our big idea that God desires that His people be life and light to the world. In order to do this, we need to “keep the lights on.”

Let’s pray: Heavenly Father, we worship you today for who you are. You are the Almighty, Sovereign, Lord of the universe and we give you all honor, glory and praise this morning. We come before you as your people, surrendered to you for your use. Pour out your Spirit on us and help us to have open hearts and minds to your Word. Speak to us and help us to apply what we hear to our lives and to share your Gospel with those we come in contact with this week. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

There are two points this morning. The first point is Making the Lampstand, found in Exodus 25:31-36. This is what God’s Word says, “Make a lampstand of pure gold. Hammer out its base and shaft, and make its flowerlike cups, buds and blossoms of one piece with them. Six branches are to extend from the sides of the lampstand—three on one side and three on the other. Three cups shaped like almond flowers with buds and blossoms are to be on one branch, three on the next branch, and the same for all six branches extending from the lampstand. And on the lampstand, there are to be four cups shaped like almond flowers with buds and blossoms. One bud shall be under the first pair of branches extending from the lampstand, a second bud under the second pair, and a third bud under the third pair—six branches in all. The buds and branches shall all be of one piece with the lampstand, hammered out of pure gold.

We are still in the Holy Place (picture) which is the room on the right in the picture. You can see that the table of the Presence is against the far wall. According to Exodus 26:35, the table was to be put outside the curtain to the Holy of Holies on the north side of the Tabernacle with the lampstand opposite on the south side. So, you can see the north side was on the right as the priests were looking at the curtain to the Holy of Holies. The lampstand was opposite the table and the lamps were positioned to shine their light on it. There was a practical purpose for this. We haven’t gotten there yet but the tabernacle is going to be covered with four different layers of different kinds of material. These layers would make it difficult for the priests to see as it would be pretty dark inside the tabernacle. The lampstand would allow the priests to see what they were doing as the performed their duties. The Hebrew word for “lampstand” is “menorah,” and is derived from a verb that means “to flame.” The name menorah underscores the practical purpose of the lampstand which was to give off light for the priests who worked in the Holy Place of the tabernacle.

The lampstand was to be made of pure gold. Gold was used because it was a symbol of total purity, royal status, divinity, and holiness. It was used for items that would be in the immediate presence of the Lord. The lampstand was not to be made with a cast but hammered out of one piece of gold by hand. The lampstand would consist of a base and a single main shaft. Six branches would extend from the shaft, three branches coming off one side and three branches coming off the other side. Then three cups, with buds and blossoms of an almond flower were to be fashioned on each of the six branches. And four cups, buds and blossoms of an almond flower were to be fashioned on the main shaft. There was to be one bud under each pair of branches coming off the lampstand. Lastly, we are told again that everything, the 22 buds, the six branches and the main shaft, was to be hammered out of one single piece of pure gold.

So here are a couple of pictures. This first one (picture) is an artist’s rendition of the lampstand. You can see the 22 almond cups, buds, and blossoms, three to a branch and four on the main lampstand. The second one (picture) is a close-up view of the cups, buds, and blossoms. Here’s a picture of the Arch of Titus (picture). The Arch of Titus was constructed in AD 81 to commemorate the victory of Titus and his father Vespasian over the Jews in AD 70. It depicts the triumphal procession in AD 71 after the Romans sacked and destroyed Jerusalem. It provides one of the few contemporary depictions of artifacts from Herod's Temple. Again, it is one artist’s rendition, but you can see the lampstand on the left and the Table of the Presence on the right (picture). Here is a closer view (picture). According to this picture the six branches and the lampstand seem to be all the same height. Also, it is figured that the ark, the table and the lampstand were all the same height at a cubit and a half or about 30 inches tall. Going back to this picture (picture), imagine the skill and craftsmanship that it would take to hammer those cups, buds and blossoms out of one solid piece of pure gold. We may not know exactly what the lampstand looked like but because God had it built to His specifications and instructions it must have looked magnificent, just like the ark and the table. It was probably one of the most ornate objects in the tabernacle.

There are a few observations we can make about the lampstand. First, the lampstand or menorah seems to look like a tree with a trunk, branches, cups, buds and blossoms. It may have reminded the priests of a flowering tree which symbolized life. Most commentators feel that the lampstand represented the Tree of Life in the Garden of Eden. And the presence of the cherubim and a growing tree seems to enhance that point of view. Also, when we think about light, we are taken back to creation in Genesis 1:3 when God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. The number seven in the Bible speaks to perfection so the seven lamps of the lampstand symbolize the perfection of the light that will be shining in the Holy Place. As the priests and the people think back to creation, it will reinforce the truth that God is the supplier of life and light (Big Idea)

Second, we may wonder why God had cups, buds and blossoms of an almond tree fashioned on the lampstand. The almond tree was common in the eastern Mediterranean area. It was known for its early white blossoms which appeared before the tree started to leaf. It was considered a symbol of hope and fruitfulness. Jewish tradition is that the cups, buds and blossoms on the main shaft supporting the branches and the uppermost ones supporting the lamps symbolize the Lord’s divine watchfulness and care over His people with whom he dwells. The ornate lampstand would convey two messages to the Israelites. One, the Lord is the source of light for His people. We saw it at creation, we saw it in the pillar of fire, and we will see it in the Holy Place in the tabernacle. Mackay says, “There is to be no darkness in the presence of the Creator who has redeemed his people.” For the Israelites and for us the lampstand again foreshadows Jesus Christ as the “Light of the World.” John 8:12 says, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” Two, the Lord is the source of life for His people. As the priests saw the lamps on the lampstand illuminating the bread on the Table of Presence, they would be reminded of God’s blessing to them of the manna that He gave from heaven which fed them and gave them life. Both light and life are intimately connected to Jesus in the NT. John 1:4-5 says, “In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

That brings us to our second point, Ministry of the Lampstand, found in Exodus 25:37-40. This is what God’s Word says, “Then make its seven lamps and set them up on it so that they light the space in front of it. Its wick trimmers and trays are to be of pure gold. A talent of pure gold is to be used for the lampstand and all these accessories. See that you make them according to the pattern shown to you on the mountain.

Now we come to the purpose or ministry of the lampstand which was to hold the lamps. There would be seven of them, one on top of each branch and on top of the main shaft (picture). The lamps which were made separate from the lampstand were to be made out of pure gold. We see this in Exodus 37:24. When the lampstand was lit, its seven lamps would illuminate the space in front of it. I’ve already mentioned that the space in front of the lampstand was where the Table of the Presence and the showbread would be. Then we see there are to be accessories made for it just like there were for the table. The accessories, wick trimmers and trays, were practical items to be used in conjunction with the lampstand and were also to be made of pure gold. One of the duties and ministries of the priests was to keep the lamps burning and that meant adjusting and trimming the wicks. The trays would have been used to dispose of the wicks being trimmed or to carry the lamps outside to be cleaned or replaced. Next, we are told that a talent of gold was to be used in constructing the lampstand and all the accessories. A talent of gold would have weighed approximately seventy-five pounds. That was a lot of gold and again goes to show the splendor and majesty of what God was giving Moses the pattern to make.

Then Moses was reminded a second time by God to make these items for the tabernacle according to the pattern shown to him on the mountain. This reminds us of two things. One, this was a verbal description but there was probably a more detailed visual description given by God to Moses and later communicated to Bezalel and the others who were to do the actual construction. Second, the lampstand, like the rest of the tabernacle, was of divine design, not a human one. It was thought up by God and God alone. The tabernacle points us to heaven, our eternal home, which Jesus went to prepare for His redeemed people. We will dwell in His presence and in the home that He has built for us for all eternity, and He will be our life and light there.

There is one more thing that the lampstand would do. It would allow the priests to minister to God and the people because of its light. This is interesting because it showed that the lampstand was for the priests not for God. Just like the bread was not symbolic of food for God to eat, the lampstand was not symbolic of light for Him to see. In pagan worship, the worshippers would have set these items up for the gods themselves to use, but Yahweh was different. He was a living and all-powerful God and didn’t need anything from His creation to sustain Him. He is the author and sustainer of life and is the only one worthy of our worship.

This speaks to the priests’ ministry. Along with their duties of making sacrifices, the cleansing and forgiveness for their sins and the sins of the people, the priests were to worship God in the tabernacle. They ministered to the Lord in the Holy Place by tending the lamps, the table and the Altar of Incense. By fulfilling these duties, they worshipped the Lord with praise and thanksgiving, as a sweet fragrance before Him. These duties needed to be followed to the letter so that their worship was meaningful and acceptable to the Lord. Without the lampstand this would have been impossible to do in the dark. It is interesting that God supplied the lampstand, but the people supplied the olive oil to keep the lamps lit. If the lamps aren’t lit, the priests couldn’t worship in a meaningful or acceptable way and as such neither could the people.

No oil, no flame; no flame, no experience of God’s presence; no experience of God’s presence, no meaningful and acceptable worship of God. This is true for us as well so what is the application for our lives? Do you remember the old song, “Give me oil in my lamp, keep me burning, burning, burning?” One of the meanings of “oil” in scripture is the Holy Spirit. Without the power of the Holy Spirit, we don’t understand and aren’t enlightened to be able to worship our Lord and Savior meaningfully and acceptably. So, we must listen to the Holy Spirit as His oil enlightens us to what meaningful and acceptable worship of God is. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we can as Romans 12:1 says, “offer our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, this is your true and proper worship.” That brings us to our first next step on the back of your communication card which is to Allow the Holy Spirit to enlighten me so I can worship the Lord in a meaningful and acceptable manner.

The lampstand has another very appropriate application for us today. In Matthew 5:14, Jesus said his followers were “the light of the world and they were to let their light shine before others so they could see their good deeds and glorify their Father in heaven.” This is seen in a parable by J. B. Phillips about Christians shining for Christ.

A senior angel was showing a very young angel “the splendors and glories of the universe.” Finally, the two angels came to our own galaxy: As the two of them drew near to the star which we call our sun and to its circling planets, the senior angel pointed to a small and rather insignificant sphere turning very slowly on its axis. It looked as dull as a dirty tennis ball to the little angel whose mind was filled with the size and glory of what he had seen. “I want you to watch that one particularly,” said the senior angel, pointing with his finger. “Well, it looks very small and rather dirty to me,” said the little angel. “What’s special about that one?” “That,” replied his senior solemnly, “is the Visited Planet.” “ ‘Visited’?” said the little one. “You don’t mean visited by—” “Indeed I do. That ball, which I have no doubt looks to you small and insignificant and not perhaps overclean, has been visited by our Prince of Glory.”

This was beyond the little angel’s comprehension. So to help him understand, the senior angel took him back in human history: While the two of them moved nearer to the spinning ball, it stopped its spinning, spun backward quite fast for a while, and then slowly resumed its usual rotation. “Now look!” and as the little angel did as he was told, there appeared here and there on the dull surface of the globe little flashes of light, some merely momentary and some persisting for quite a time. “What am I seeing now?” queried the little angel. “You are watching this little world as it was some thousands of years ago,” returned his companion. “Every flash and glow of light that you see is something of the Father’s knowledge and wisdom breaking into the minds and hearts of people who live upon the earth. Not many people, you see, can hear His Voice or understand what He says, even though He is speaking gently and quietly to them all the time.” “Why are they so blind and deaf and stupid?” asked the junior angel rather crossly. “It is not for us to judge them. We who live in the Splendor have no idea what it is like to live in the dark.… But watch, for in a moment you will see something truly wonderful.”

The Earth went on turning and circling round the sun, and then, quite suddenly, in the upper half of the globe there appeared a light, tiny, but so bright in its intensity that both angels hid their eyes. “I think I can guess,” said the little angel in a low voice. “That was the Visit, wasn’t it?” “Yes, that was the Visit. The Light Himself went down there and lived among them.… Open your eyes now; the dazzling light has gone. The Prince has returned to His Home of Light. But watch the Earth now.” As they looked, in place of the dazzling light there was a bright glow which throbbed and pulsated. And then as the Earth turned many times, little points of light spread out. A few flickered and died, but for the most part the lights burned steadily, and as they continued to watch, in many parts of the globe there was a glow.… “You see what is happening?” asked the senior angel. “The bright glow is the company of loyal men and women He left behind, and with His help they spread the glow, and now lights begin to shine all over the Earth.”

What J. B. Phillips described in his parable is our privilege as Christians. God has given us new life, and now that we are alive in Christ, we are called to shine for Jesus, giving a glowing testimony of his saving grace. We shine for Jesus when we go out of our way to show special kindness. We shine for Jesus when we do our work cheerfully, without complaining. We shine for Jesus when we give generously to help those in need. And we shine brightest of all when we share the gospel, telling people what God has done to save us through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. An old children’s hymn that speaks about being a radiant Christian gives us a strong challenge to shine for Jesus: Be a light for Jesus, brightly shine each day; Radiate the Savior, in the home, at play. Others soon will see it, as you onward go; Keep on burning brightly, with a steady glow. Never let it flicker, never let it dim; Trim your lamp for Jesus, let it shine for Him. Shine on through the darkness, precious in God’s sight, Are His own dear children, walking in His light.

Let us be people who never let our light flicker or grow dim but keep it shining brightly for Jesus (Big Idea). That brings us to our last next step which is to Always keep my light shining brightly for Jesus.

As Roxey leads us in a final song and the ushers prepare to collect the tithes and offerings let’s pray: Lord God, thank you for this time together with other believers saturated in your Word. You have called us to be life and light in this fallen and broken World. And you have supplied us with your Holy Spirit to do just that. Help us to pay attention to your Spirit inside of us. Let us be enlightened so we can worship you in a meaningful and acceptable manner. And enable us to always keep our lights shining brightly for You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Opening: brackenhurstbaptist.co.za; “Let There Be Light” Dog Van Meter

Conclusion: Ryken’s Commentary on Exodus